Emporia State students plan to tackle Zumba record again

April 6, 2012

So far, spring in Emporia has been unseasonably warm, but we don’t expect triple-digit temperatures to derail a second attempt to set a new world record for a Zumba class.

In September, Emporia State organizers worked to get 1,500 people to fill Welch Stadium for a Zumba class to break the record of 1,223 people set by the City of Brownsville, Texas, and the University of Texas Houston School of Public Health. Unfortunately, hot weather limited the participants in Emporia to 1,036.

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, Emporia State’s Recreation Services wants at least 1,500 people to gather at Welch Stadium to participate in a Zumba class taught by Zumba Jammer Amy Hayden of Emporia. Zumba is an easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning “fitness party.”

The free event is open to everyone.

“We want to encourage everyone in the community to come help us reach the record,” said Whitney Runer, assistant director of recreation services at ESU. “And don’t worry if you have never done Zumba before because no prior experience is necessary to join.”

It’s simple to participate — just be on Jones Field at ESU’s Welch Stadium by 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 11. The gates open at 6:15 p.m. and you’ll be given a wristband. Give yourself enough time to get in and be ready to Zumba at 7 p.m. The class runs one hour.

Revenge of Zumba is part of the Fun Fit Week planned by Recreation Services. The four days of events are open to Emporia State students, the Emporia community and others who want to participate. On the schedule are: